Trimble expands Engineers Without Borders partnership

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Trimble has expanded its partnership with Engineers Without Borders through a new employee-funded grant and technology donation aimed at supporting community-driven infrastructure projects worldwide.

On Dec. 17, Engineers Without Borders representatives visited Trimble’s Westminster campus to receive a $48,000 contribution funded by Trimble employees, along with a donation of Trimble Catalyst GNSS receivers. Trimble employees across the company contributed to the fundraising effort, reinforcing the firm’s long-standing support for Engineers Without Borders’ mission.

The donation will support Engineers Without Borders projects focused on improving access to clean water, sanitation, energy and critical infrastructure in underserved communities worldwide.

The employee-funded contribution builds on a broader strategic partnership Trimble announced earlier this year with the Engineers Without Borders network, facilitated by Engineers Without Borders International. Under the expanded collaboration, Trimble is providing financial support, hardware, software and technical training expertise for international projects.

Trimble has previously supported Engineers Without Borders in the United States through technology donations to student chapters, disaster relief and climate resiliency grants via the Trimble Foundation Fund and STEM education initiatives. The expanded partnership marks a significant step in extending that support globally.

The collaboration’s first major international initiative is an 18-month critical infrastructure project in eastern Uganda in partnership with Engineers Without Borders East Africa. The effort focuses on helping local governments unlock existing public funding for infrastructure projects. While local funds are available, many district parishes lack the engineering data, tools and capacity needed to access them.

“Working with Trimble can help unlock these funds and deliver essential master plans, financial models and engineering skills at the required scale,” said Peter Nzabanita of Engineers Without Borders East Africa.

The Uganda project includes three phases, beginning with technical baseline surveys and infrastructure mapping using Trimble technology, geographic information systems software and drone support. The initial phase also includes recruiting and training 40 local youth enumerators to conduct a population census.

Later phases will involve feasibility studies, technical audits, community co-design sessions, financial modeling and cost-benefit analysis. The results will be used in presentations to attract commercial investment, including potential public-private partnerships.

Capacity building is a central focus of the partnership. Phase two includes a hands-on “Buildathon” event that will bring together Trimble teams, customers and partners to provide rapid technical assistance. Trimble is also working with its education partner, Panelle, to engage women leaders in construction and engineering to help guide the initiative.

“The critical infrastructure project in eastern Uganda is an ideal starting point for this expanded collaboration,” said Sumele Adelana, a product marketing leader at Trimble. “By helping communities develop the engineering plans needed to secure funding, we can empower them to meet critical infrastructure needs now and in the future.”

Trimble officials said the employee-funded grant and equipment donation reflect the company’s broader commitment to pairing technology with local expertise to support sustainable development worldwide.